GEORGETOWN (Guyana), April 2: Early showers have prompted a delayed start on the third day of the opening cricket Test between West Indies and South Africa here on Saturday.

South Africa were to continue from their overnight position of two without loss, replying to West Indies’ first innings total of 543 for five declared.

On Friday, Shivnarine Chanderpaul scored his maiden double century amid a flurry of records as a weakened West Indies continued to dominate.

Skipper Chanderpaul scored 203 not out off 370 balls with 23 fours, eclipsing his best score of 140 made against India on the same ground in 2002.

Earlier Wavell Hinds was finally dismissed for 213, the highest score by a West Indian against South Africa, beating Brian Lara’s 202 in Johannesburg in 2003-04.

Hinds and Chanderpaul, who came together with West Indies on 106 for three, shared a 284-run fourth wicket partnership, a record for any wicket against South Africa.

The morning session was reduced to an hour’s play because of mopping up operations following overnight rain.

Hinds was eventually dismissed in the fifth over after lunch when he edged a delivery from fast bowler Charl Langeveldt to be caught behind by wicket-keeper Mark Boucher.

He faced 297 balls and hit 34 fours and two sixes.

Chanderpaul and Ryan Hinds added 116 runs for the fifth wicket before Hinds, on 48, edged a drive off left-arm spinner Nicky Boje and was caught by Jacques Kallis at slip.

The declaration followed immediately after Chanderpaul reached his double century.

Graeme Smith faced just two deliveries off fast bowler Pedro Collins’ first over, one of which was a no-ball, before the umpires offered the batsmen the light.